WORLD-class skater Jenny Lee has been nominated in the Yorkshire Women of Achievement awards.

The 20-year-old figure skater, of Farnhill, near Skipton, has been shortlisted only weeks after competing in the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria.

She will compete against other women aged 16 to 30 for the Young Achiever Award when the winners are announced at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds on May 12.

The annual awards, which showcase inspirational women across the region, raise money for the Sue Ryder charity, which runs the Manorlands hospice in Oxenhope.

The Yorkshire Women of Achievement Awards are billed as a celebration of the “passion, determination and inspiration that makes Yorkshire women great”.

The awards feature categories for business, education, sport, young achievers, the arts, science and technology, and community impact.

Nominees in Jenny’s category, Young Achiever, have made an exceptional contribution in their sphere or local community and exemplify the best attributes of young people today.

Craven College catering student Jenny became the first athlete from Yorkshire to take part in the World Winter Games.

She came fourth in her section after performances in two categories, one displaying different elements and moves and another to Colours Of The Wind from the film Pocahontas.

She is now preparing to compete in the Inclusive Skating competition and the British Championships of the Special Olympics.

Jenny has a learning disability and is hearing impaired, and is a member of Bradford Disability Sport & Leisure, which oversees the district’s participation in regional, national and international Special Olympics events.

After being diagnosed with a brain defect and at three years old being told she was deaf, doctors predicted Jenny wouldn’t be able to talk or walk.

But she went on to sporting success first in horse riding before taking up figure skating.

Before going to Austria, Jenny performed her competition programme during a gala event at Bradford Ice Arena to raise money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Jenny said: “I want to show people that even if you have a disability you can do what you want. You can break down barriers and show people that you can do a sport that you love.”

Proceeds from the Yorkshire Women of Achievement Awards help fund Sue Ryder’s Wheatfields Hospice.

The competition is held in memory of Leeds woman Sue Ryder, who dedicated her life to the relief of suffering.

Visit sueryder.org to buy tickets for the awards evening.